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Pocket Manual of 


Parliamentary Law Condensed 

and Alphabetically Arranged 
Compiled for Quick Reference 


By Rev. L. Mendenhall 


Motto: 

MULTUM IN PARVO 


1916 

W. B. ROSE 

1132 Washington Boulevard 
Chicago 

Co 2/ 





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COPYEIGHT, 1916 
BY 

LEWIS MENDENHALL 



©CI,A420441 

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CONTENTS 


Preface ..... 7 

Introduction . 9 

Adjourn (unqualified) . IT 

Adjourn—To Fix the Time to Which to 12 

Amendment . 13 

Amend an Amendment. 14 

Amend the Kules. 14 

Amendments—Order of Voting on. 14 

Appeal from Decision of Chair. 15 

Commit or Kefer. 10 

Committees—How Appointed. 17 

Committees—Different Kinds. 17 

Committees—Procedure of . 18 

Committees—Eeport of . 19 

Debate—Motion to Limit or Extend tlie 

Limits . 21 

Debate—Motion to Close at a Certain 

Time . 21 

Debate—Rules of . 22 

Division of a Question. 25 

Form of Ibitting Questions. 20 

Miscellaneous . 5(5 

^lotions—Rules Concerning. 27 

Motions—Different Classes .. 28 

Motions—Order of Precedence. 30 

Nominations—How Made . 31 


3 























4 


CONTENTS 


Nominations—How Voted On. 32 

Organization—How Accomplished. 32 

Order—Call to . 34 

Order—To Make Special. 34 

Order—To Take Up a Question Out of. . 35 

Orders of The Day—Call for. 35 

Postpone to a Certain Time. .. 30 

Postpone Indefinitely . 37 

Questions of Privilege. 38 

Question of Consideration. 39 

Question—Previous . 39 

Question—Informal Consideration of... 40 

Quorum—What Constitutes. 41 

Pending of Papers.. 42 

Reconsider—Motion to. 42 

Reconsideration of a Debatable Question 43 
Reconsideration of an Undebatable Ques¬ 
tion . 44 

Reconsidered—Questions Which Can 

Not Be . 44 

Rescind or Rei)eal . 44 

Renewing a Motion. 45 

Ratify . 46 

Recess .^. 46 

Rise—To..\ . .. . 47 

Rules—To Suspend . J... . 47 

Substitute (See Amendment.). 48 

Speaking—Leave to Continue after Inde¬ 
corum . 48 

Table—To Lay on. 48 


























CONTENTS 


5 


Table—To Take from. 49 

Two-thirds Vote—What Requires. 50 

Unamendable Questions. 50 

Uiidebatable Questions. 51 

Voting—^lethods of . 52 

Vote—Who may. 54 

Voting—Order of. 55 

Withdrawal of a Motion. 55 










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PEEFACE 


The object of this Manual is to give in brief 
statements, and of easy reference, a guide to proper 
parliamentary procedure. These statements, with 
notes, have been placed in sections under head¬ 
lines arranged in alphabetical order. In an 
abridged treatise of this kind, some material rele¬ 
vant to the subject is necessarily omitted; however, 
the scope includes the main Questions arising in 
common parliamentary practise. Quick Reference 
and Condensed and Accurate Information are the 
special features desired to be secured. Originality 
is claimed as to the general form and arrangement 
of the materials compiled in the work. Standard 
authorities have been studied and consulted in its 
preparation. The statements are in accord with 
recent eminent writers on parliamentary law. 
While the contents of the volume are embraced in 
a small space, they are so simplitied and condensed 
as to contain “much in little.” The plan of the 
work, being one of reference, has made it necessary 
to repeat some of the statements in the different 
sections. If a question is unamendable and unde- 
batable, or requires more than a majority vote, it 
is so indicated. 

The dates of the treatises referred to in this 
Manual are as follows: Cushing’s Manual (re¬ 
vised by Ingalls), ISOo; Robert’s Rules of Order, 
1004 (also edition of 1015 is quoted) ; Reed’s l*ar- 
liamentary Rules, 1808; and Neely’s Parliamentary 
Practice, 1014. 

It is hoped by the author that the experienced 

7 


8 


PREFACE 


parliamentarian and the novice will find this 
Manual of special value for ready and quick refer¬ 
ence at all times, and especially while the assembly 
is in session. L. Mendenhall. 

Fairfield, Iowa, August 16, 1915. 


INTRODUCTION 


PARLIAMENTARY LAW 


Parliamentary Law is coexistent with Legislative 
and Deliberative Assemblies. Some form of pro¬ 
cedure was necessarily established and followed by 
these bodies in their first meetings. The rules, as 
then established, have not been preserved and 
handed down to us. The probability is that they 
were few and simple, and gradually expanded 
through the exigencies of experience into a more 
elaborate code. American Parliamentary Law, pri¬ 
marily, LS the outgrowth of English precedents es¬ 
tablished in the Parliament of England. In later 
years many of these precedents have been aban¬ 
doned in American procedure as not adapted to its 
popular form of government, and for other reasons. 
Parliamentary Law in England, and that practiseil 
in the United States, are in some particulars very 
much dissimilar. Perfection is not claimed for 
the American Rules, but a general system has been 
evolved through experience, founded on principle 
and in accord with the dictates of sound reason. It 
should be well understood “that parliamentary 
law is not a series of arbitrary rules, but a plain, 
consistent system, founded on common sense and 
sustained by the experience of mankind.” The gen¬ 
erally recognized system of parliamentary rules 
should govern all assemblies in their deliberations, 
unless some of these rules are superseded by special 
ones of their own. L. M. 


9 





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Parliamentary Law Condensed 

and Alphabetically Arranged 


Adjourn (unqualified) 

1 . Cannot be debated. 

2. Cannot be amended. 

3. Cannot have any subsidiary motion 

applied to it. 

4. Cannot be reconsidered. 

5. Cannot take a member from the floor 
Avhile speaking. 

G. Cannot interrupt a vote in progress. 

7. Cannot be entertained while the as¬ 
sembly is dividing or verifying a vote. 

8 . Cannot be renewed without other 
business intervening. 

9. Can be made after the previous ques¬ 

tion is ordered before action under it. 

10. Can be made after a vote by ballot 
before the ballots are counted. 

11. Can adjourn by expiration of time. 

12. This motion is highly privileged, and 
when unqualified takes precedence of all 
others, except the privileged motion, to fix 
the time to which to adjourn, to which it 
yields. The assembly is not adjourned until 
so announced by the Chair. 

11 



12 ADJOURN—TO FIX THE TIME TO WHICH TO 


Note.— Common parliamentary bodies have the 
inherent right to suspend their sittings or terminate 
their sessions by a motion and vote to adjourn. If 
tbe adjournment is of a sitting of a session which 
has a regular time of meeting from day to day, 
then, the umiualified motion to adjourn indicates 
a suspension of business until the time for the 
next regular meeting when the assembly again con¬ 
venes to resume its work. It may occur that the 
adjournment is taken to meet again at some other 
time than the regular hour, which time is specified 
in the motion to adjourn, rnfinished business, in¬ 
terrupted by an adjournment, is the first thing in 
order at the next meeting after the reading of the 
minutes, and stands before the assembly just as 
it did when the adjournment was made. 


Adjourn—To Fix the Time to Which to 

1. Is in order even after the nnan- 
nonnced vote to adjourn. 

2. Undebatable when another question 
is before the assembly. 

3. . Can be amended by changing’ the time. 

4. Cannot be renewed witliont other 
business intervening. 

Note.— “This motion is, like the motion to ad¬ 
journ, a motion highly privileged, when no time 
has been determined upon as the regular hour of 
meeting after each adjournment. Such a motion 
is in order as against any pending motion, includ¬ 
ing the motion to adjourn itself. It does not, how¬ 
ever, have privilege over a motion for recess al- 


AMENDMENT 


13 


ready pending. But if the assembly has already 
fixed the time for the regular meeting after ad¬ 
journment, the motion to fix the time to which the 
assembly shall adjourn has no privilege or priority 
over pending motions” (Reed, pp. 126, 127). 


Amendment 

1 . Opens the main question to debate 
only so far as it is necessarily involved in 
the amendment. 

2. The amendment must be germane to 
the question. 

3. May amend by inserting or adding 
words. 

4. May amend by striking out words. 

5. May amend by striking out words and 
inserting others. 

6 . May amend by substituting one mo¬ 
tion or resolution for another. 

7. May amend by dividing the question 
into two or more parts. 

8 . May amend a motion by general con¬ 
sent without a vote. 

9. This motion takes precedence of the 
motion to postpone indefinitely, and yields to 
all other subsidiaiw motions, and to any 
privileged, or incidental question. 

Note.—“W hen the assembly is satisfied with the 
subject-matter of a proposition, but not with all of 
its different parts, or desires to make some addi- 


14 


AMEND AN AMENDMENT 


tions to it, the course of proceeding then is, to 
bring the proposition into the proper form, and 
make its details satisfactory, by means of amend¬ 
ments” (Cushing, p. 53). Also, “the enemies of 
the proposition may present such amendments as 
will render it obnoxious to the assembly and cause 
its rejection. They may also change and reverse 
its purpose, make praise out of censure, condemn 
instead of approve, or otherwise alter the mean¬ 
ing” (Reed, p. 115). 

Amend an Amendment 

1 . Opens the main question to debate 
so far as it is necessarily involved in the 
amendment. 

2. An amendment may be amended but 
can go no farther. 


Amend the Rules 

Requires a two-thirds vote after they are 
adopted. 


Amendments—Order of Voting on 

To illustrate: When an amendment to 
the main question has been moved—an 
amendment to this amendment—a substitute 
for the main question—an amendment to the 
substitute; these motions are voted on in the 
following order: 


APPEAL FROM DECISION OF CHAIR 


15 


1. The amendment to the amendment of 
the main question. 

2. The amendment as amended. 

3. The amendment to the substitute. 

4. On the substitution of the substitute 
as amended, for the main question as 
amended. 

5. On the adoption of the substituted 
question as now the main question—which in 
turn is subject to all of the above named 
amendments in the order indicated. 

Note.— When a substitute is pending, other 
amendments to the main question cannot be pre¬ 
sented until the substitute has been acted upon. 

Appeal from Decision of Chair 

(This ai)peal relates to indecorum, trans¬ 
gression of the rules of speaking, or to the 
priority of business, or when made while the 
previous question is pending.) 

1. Can be made while another has the 
floor. 

2. Cannot be amended. 

3. Cannot be debated. (All other ap¬ 
peals, but those relating to the questions 
above sx)ecified, are debatable but not amend¬ 
able.) 

4. On a tie vote the decision of the Chair 
is sustained. 


16 


COMMIT OR REFER 


5. This a])])eal yields to ])rivileged ques¬ 
tions, and to the motion to lay on the table. 

Note.— “A (Question of Order takes precedence 
of the (iiiestion rise to it, and must be de¬ 

cided by the presiding officer without debate. If 
a member objects to the decision, be says, ‘I ap¬ 
peal from tlie decision of the Chair.’ If the appeal 
is .seconded, the Chairman immediately states the 
question as follows: ‘Shall the decision of the 
(’hair stand as the judgment of the assembly?’ If 
there is a tie vote the decision of the Chair is sus¬ 
tained” (Robert, p. 45). If an appeal is laid on 
the table the decision of the Chair is sustained, at 
least for the time it remains on the table. 


Commit or Refer 

1. This motion opens to debate the 
merits of the main question. 

2. Can be amended by changing the com¬ 
mittee as to kind or numbers, or by giving 
instructions. (See note below.) 

3. This motion takes precedence of the 
motion to amend, or to indefinitely postixme, 
and yields to all other subsidiary motions, 
and to any privileged, or incidental question. 

Note.— “If the original question is not well di¬ 
gested, or needs more amendment than can well he 
made in the assembly, it is usual to move ‘to refer 
it to a committee.’ This motion can be made while 
an amendment is pending, and it opens the whole 
merits of the question to debate. This motion can 


COMMITTEES—HOW APPOINTED 


17 


be amended by specifying the number of the com¬ 
mittee, or how they shall be appointed, or when 
they shall report, or by giving instructions” (Rob¬ 
ert, pp. 177, 178). 

Committees—How Appointed 

1. Bj the presiding officer when author¬ 
ized. 

2. By resolution. 

3. By nomination and voice vote. 

4. By ballot. 

5. Unless provided for in the Constitu¬ 
tion or By-laws, the assembly determines the 
manner of their appointment. 

Committees—Different Kinds 

1. Standing—Usually appointed at the 
beginning of the session to consider a certain 
class of subjects. 

2. Select—To take charge of a special 
subject. 

3. Committee of the Whole (House)— 
Consists of the entire membership of the body 
with the liberties of the common committee, 
and the restraints and formalities of the 
main body laid aside. 

Note. —On motion the assembly may resolve itself 
into a Committee of the Whole to take under con¬ 
sideration certain business. As a rule, the Chair- 


IS 


COMMITTEES—PROCEDURE OF 


man of the assembly appoints the chairman of the 
committee, and the clerk of the assembly acts as 
clerk of the committee. The only motions in order 
in the meetinj^s of this committee are to amend, to 
adopt, and that the committee rise and report. The 
Previous Question cannot he moved and every mem¬ 
ber may speak as often as he can obtain the floor, 
and as long as he pleases, unless prevented by a 
special rule. The report of the committee may be 
entered on the ininutes of the assembly, but no 
other part of its proceedings. 

Committees—Procedure of 

1. The time and place of sitting regu¬ 
lated by the committee itself, unless ap¬ 
pointed by the assembly, greetings may lie 
called by the Chairman, or by him through 
the secretary. 

2. Organization—If no Chairman is aj)- 
])ointed by tfe assembly, the committee may 
elect one—it lias ])o^yer to com])lete its or¬ 
ganization. 

3. A qnormn is a majority of the mem¬ 
bers, unless the assembly has fixed another 
number. 

4. ^lethods of jirocednre are about the 
same as those of the assembly, only w ith less 
formality. It must be in regular session to 
legally transact business. Consent of the 
members, wdien not in session, is not suffi¬ 
cient. 


COMMITTEES—REPORT OF 


10 


5. Sessions of the coiiiiiiittee must not 
be held while the assembly is in session with¬ 
out permission from the assembly. 

Note.— “Tlie Committee is the eye, and ear, and 
hand, and very often the hrain, of the assembly. 
Freed from the very inconvenience of numbers, it 
can study a question, obtain full information, and 
put the proposed action into proper shape for tinal 
decision. The appointment of a committee also in¬ 
sures to the assembly the presence during the de¬ 
bate of members who have made examination of 
the question, and tends to preserve the assembly 
from its greatest danger, that of being carried away 
by some plausible harangue which excites feeling, 
appeals to sentiment only, and obscures reason” 
(Reed, p. 53). 


Committees—Report of 

1. The majority of members of a com¬ 
mittee determine its report. 

2. If no otlier person is apiiointed, the 
duty to report to the assembly falls upon the 
Chairman of a committee. 

3. By consent of the assembly a minority 
of a committee may make a report, which 
consent is generally given. The minority re¬ 
port is not fully before the House until it is 
moved as a substitute for the rejiort of the 
majority. 

4. The report of a committee, when pre- 


20 


COMMITTEES—REPORT OF 


seuted to the assembly, requires immediate 
reception and consideration, unless the rules 
provide ditlerently or the question of consid¬ 
eration is raised. 

5. Wlien the report of a committee, with¬ 
out a vote to receive it, has been made to the 
assembly, in such a case the report has been 
received by general consent, and no addi¬ 
tional action to this effect is necessary. 

0. The report of a committee, after it 
has been received and adopted, becomes the 
action of the assembly; but the reception of 
a report does not adopt it. Some reports are 
for information and not for action, which 
generally" are merely received and filed, or 
recorded in the journal. 

7. The rejiort of a committee, after it is 
received, may be adopted or rejected, or 
arrrended and adopted; and it may be re¬ 
ferred back for further action, with, or with¬ 
out instructions. Also, the report, after re¬ 
ception, becomes the subject of action by the 
assembly like any other business—it may be 
laid on the table, or action on it jmstponed to 
some future time. 

8. The member making the report of a 
committee to the assembly is entitled to open 
and close the debate on his report. 

9. Whenever a select committee makes a 
full report, unless continued by vote, it auto- 


DEBATE—MOTION TO LIMIT OR EXTEND 


21 


niatically ceases to exist and does not need 
to be discharged bv the assembly. 

10. When the report of a committee has 
been considered and adopted seriatim, it is 
unnecessary to adopt it as a whole. 


Debate—Motion to Limit or Extend 
the Limits 

1. Not debatable. 

2. Cannot have any subsidiary motion 
a})plied to it, except the motion to amend. 

3. l\e(piires a two-thirds vote. 

4. Yields to privileged and incidental 
motions, and to the subsidiary motions to 
lay on the table, and the ])revions (piestion. 

Note.— “Sometimes, instead of cutting? off de¬ 
bate entirely, by ordering the previous question, it 
is desirable to allow of but limited debate. In this 
case a motion is made to limit the time allowed 
each speaker, or the number of speeches on each 
side, or to appoint a time at which debate shall 
close and the question be put. The motion may be 
made to limit debate on an amendment: in which 
case the main question would afterwards be open 
to debate and amendment; or it maj' be simply on 
an amendment of an amendment” (Robert, p, 
181). After the limits of debate have been fixed 
the time can be extended by a two-thirds vote. 

Debate—Motion to Close at a Certain 
Time 

(Same as above.) 


22 


DEBATE-RULES OF 


Debate—Rules of 

1. The speaker should rise and address 
the Chair and secure his recognition before 
he proceeds. 

2 . If more than one person seeks recogni¬ 
tion at the same time, the Chair may name 
the one whose voice he first heard, if he is 
entitled to speak at that time. A mover of 
a motion has the right to speak first upon his 
motion. The decision of the Chair, as to 
who is entitled to speak, is seldom disputed, 
but it may be appealed from to the House. 

3. A member may speak but once on the 
same question, until all others who desire to 
speak have spoken. If the question reaches 
a new stage by a proposed amendment or 
substitute, then it becomes a new question, 
and all who have spoken on the original mo¬ 
tion as well as those who have not, are per¬ 
mitted to speak on the amendment or substi¬ 
tute. 

4. The time allowed for each speech may 
be fixed by a special rule of the assembly. 
\yithout such a rule a speaker can keep the 
floor as long as he may desire. 

5. No speaker should be interrupted by 
interrogations from members without his 
consent secured through the Chair. 

6. The debater should confine his re¬ 
marks to the subject or question under con- 


DEBATE-RULES OF 


sideratioii. Some latitude should be allowed 
under this rule, and no exceptions taken, 
unless the remarks are plainly foreign to the 
subject. 

7. In debate, offensive personalities are 
much out of order, and the true gentleman 
will not discuss personally Ids opponent, but 
the (piestion before the House. 

8. It is the duty of the assembly to be 
in order while its members are debating. 
Jeff’erson says: “No one is to disturb an¬ 
other in his speech l)y hissing, or by whisper¬ 
ing to another; nor stand up to interrupt 
him; nor to pass between the speaker and 
the speaking member; nor to go across the 
house, or to walk up and down it, or to take 
books or papers from the table or write 
there.” In addition to this it may be said 
that it is a breach of order for members, with¬ 
out a motion and the recognition of the 
Chair, to call for adjournment, or the orders 
of the day, or the previous question. x4s a 
general rule a regular motion must be made 
and the mover recognized by the Chair to se¬ 
cure action by the assembly. 

9. In debate the speaker should not re¬ 

fer to any member by his name. He should 
say something like this: ^‘The member who 
last addressed the assembly,” or ‘NIy oppo¬ 
nent,” or “The member from.” 



24 


DEBATE-RULES OF 


10. The Chairman, if a member of the 
assembly, may join in debate, proyided he 
calls some other member to the chair. The 
judicious Chairman \yill seldom exercise this 
right. 

11. The reporter for a committee to the 
assembly is entitled to open and close the 
debate on his report. If it is considered 
seriatim, he has the same rights on each 
proi)osition thus decided separately. This 
priyilege cannot be denied him by the pre- 
yioiis question or by any other motion or 
yote. 

12. Up to tlie time of ])utting the negatiye 
a member may rise and renew the debate the 
same as if yoting had not commenced. The 
renewal of debate, in this way, places the 
question before the assembly precisely as it 
was before the yote was partly taken. If 
the Chair had failed to recognize a member 
who had risen and ])roperly addressed him 
before the negatiye had been put, he is en¬ 
titled to be heard on the question, which then 
assumes its former condition as if no yote 
had been taken upon it. 

Note.—“A s a general principle, eyery proposi¬ 
tion, before tinal settlement, has the right to fair 
and full discussion on its merits. It should have a 
chance for its life, and so to speak, it should have 
an opportunity to speak for itself, and take the 


DIVISION OF A QUESTION 


2; 


i) 


risk of being spoken against. . . . It is a seri¬ 

ous error generally speaking, to intentionally or 
unintentionally prevent discussion and deliberation, 
for it interferes with the rights of the (luestion and 
the rights of individuals” (Neely, p. 45). 


Division of a Question 

1. Ditfereiit parts of a (piestioii may l;e 
divided on motion, if distinct and capable of 
standing alone. 

2. A motion to divide a (piestion should 
specify the manner of the division asked for, 
wliicli motion may be amended but not de¬ 
bated. 

d. The Chair may rule as to the proper 
division of a question, subject to an ajipeal 
to the assembly. 

4. The distinct jairts of a (piestion, di¬ 
vided on motion, become independent ques¬ 
tions. 

5. The divided parts of a question are to 
be voted on in the order in which they stand. 

(). In ordinary assemblies it is not the 
prerogative of a single member to enforce 
a division of a question. (See Keed, par. 
152; Ivobert, p. 31, foot note.) 

7. A question can be divided after the 
jirevions (]nestion has been ordered. 

Note.—“W hen a proposition or motion is com¬ 
plicated, that is, composed of two or more parts. 


FORM OF PUTTING QUESTIONS 


2() 

which are so far iiidepeiident of each other as to 
be susceptible of division into several questions, and 
it is supposed that the assembly may approve of 
some hut not of all the parts, it is a compendious 
mode of amendment to divide the motion into sepa¬ 
rate questions, to be separately voted upoh and 
decided by the assembly” (Cushing, pp, 53, 54). 


Form of Putting Questions 

1. If a motion is made to strike out cer¬ 
tain words, the question may be i)nt in this 
way: ‘‘It is moved that the following words 
[stating them] in such a place [describing 
it] be stricken out, and the question is, Will 
the assembly agree to the amendment?” 

2. If the ])ievioiis question is moved it 
may be init in this form: “As many as are 
in favor of ordering the jirevions question 
will rise; [then when seated] as many as 
are o])i)osed will rise.” 

3. Tf an a])peal is made from the decision 
of the Chair, the question may be stated in 
this manner: “Shall the decision of the 
Chair stand as the judgment of the assem¬ 
bly?” (If there is a tie vote his decision is 
sustained the same as if it were a majority.') 

4. If the Orders of the Day are called 
for, the question may be ]>ut in this form: 
“Will the assembly now proceed to the 
Orders of the Day?” 


MOTIONS—RULES CONCERNING 


27 


5. If an objection to the consideration 
of a (jnestion is made, the Chairman may im¬ 
mediately put the (inestion as follows: “Shall 
Ihe (jnestion be considered?” 

b. If a vote has been ordered to be 
taken by yeas and nays, the question may be 
]>nt like the following: “As many as are in 
favor of the adojition of the motion or reso¬ 
lution will, when their names are called, an¬ 
swer yes or aye—those ojiposed will answer 
no.” 

Motions—Rules Concerning 

1. On the introduction of a motion the 
mover should rise and be recognized by the 
Chair before stating his motion. 

2. A motion is not in possession of the 
ITonse until seconded and stated by the Chair. 

?). The princi])al motion that is in pos¬ 
session of the House is called “the main 
(piestion.” 

4. The main (jiiestion is subject to modi¬ 
fications and interruptions by other motions 
named in this Manual in the Different 
Classes of Motions. 

5. No business should be considered 
without a motion jirojierly made and, also, 
stated by the Chair. There may be excep¬ 
tions made to this rule, as in routine busi- 



28 


MOTIONS—DIFFERENT CLASSES 


ness where it is done by general consent of 
the assenil)ly without a motion or vote. 

G. By general consent the mover of a 
motion, before decision or actual amendment, 
may withdraw it. 

7. The maker of a motion may vote 
against his own motion, but he is not ])ermit- 
ted to speak against it. 

Note.— “After an organization has been had the 
assembly is then ready to proceed to business. The 
beginning of business is its introduction by a mem¬ 
ber. Only members have the right to present busi¬ 
ness to the assembly. The presiding officer may lay 
before the assembly certain kinds of business, but 
this is always by virtue of law. The presiding offi¬ 
cer is under no obligation to present any communi¬ 
cation sent him liy persons outside of the body over 
which he presides. That would be to confer upon 
outsiders one of the attributes of membership. The 
only way by which a person not a member can reach 
the assembly is through a member” (Reed, pp. 75, 
7G). 


Motions—Different Classes 

PRIVILEGED QUESTIONS 

1. To fix the time to which to adjourn. 

2. To adjourn. 

3. To take a recess. 

4. Questions of privilege. 

5. Orders of the day. 


MOTIONvS—DIFFERENT CLASSES 


29 


Note. —“Privileged motions do not concern them¬ 
selves with the progress of the main question, but 
with the existence of the assembly, the performance 
of its functions, its police and good order. . . . 

ddiey have precedence over all others” (Reed, p. 
123). 

INCIDENTAL QTTESTIONS 

1. Questions of order (ai)peal). 

2. Objection to tlie consideration of a 
question. 

3. The reading- of papers. 

4. Leave to withdraw a motion. 

5. Snsiiension of the rules. 

Note.— “Incidental questions are such as arise 
out of other questions, and are consequently to 
be decided before the questions which give rise to 
them”—they yield to Privileged Questions. 

SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS 

1. To lav on tlie table. 

2. The j)revions question. 

3. To ])ostpone to a certain day or time. 

4. To commit (or recommit). 

5. To amend. 

(). To j)Osti)one indefinitely. 

Note. —Subsidiary Motions “are such as are ap¬ 
plied to other motions, for the purpose of more ap- 
l)ropriately disposing of them. They take the pre¬ 
cedence of the I’rincipal Question, and must be 
decided before the Principal Question can be acted 
upon. They yield to Privileged and Incidental 


30 


MOTIONS—ORDER OF PRECEDENCE 


Questions” (Robert, p. 33). As a rule Subsidiary 
(Questions cannot be applied to each other. The ex¬ 
ceptions are that a motion to amend can be 
amended, and so can the motion to postpone to a 
certain day or time, and the motion to commit. 

MAIN QUESTION 

Tlie jil'iiieipal motion. 

Note on the Above Section.— Bishop Thomas B. 
Neely, who follows the above arrangement of the 
different classes of motions says; “This arrange¬ 
ment places the motions having the highest prece¬ 
dence at the top and the lowest at the bottom. 
. . . The subsidiary motions are above the main 

(luestion, the incidental (piestions are above the 
subsidiary, and the privileged questions are above 
all and take precedence of all; but the incidental 
may apply to different classes, as may the motion 
to amend” (Neely’s Rules, p. ItT). 

Motions—Order of Precedence 

1. To tix the time to which to adjourn. 

2. To adjourn (when unqualified). 

3. To take a recess. 

4. To raise a (luestion of privileji’e. 

5. To call for the orders of the day. 

(). To lay on the table. 

7. To order the previous question. 

8. To limit or extend limits of debate. 

1). To jiostpone to a certain time. 

10. To commit or refer. 


NOMINATIONS—HOW MADE 


31 


11. To amend. 

12. To i)Osti)oiie indefinitely. 

Note.—T he above arrangement of the rank of the 
specified motions has the sanction of high author¬ 
ity. These motions take precedence over each other 
in the order in which they stand arranged. “The 
motion to reconsider can be made when any other 
question is before the body but cannot be acted 
upon until the question, before the assembly is dis¬ 
posed of, when, if called up, takes the precedence 
of all other motions except to adjourn, and to fix 
the time to which to adjourn. Questions incidental 
to those before the assembly take precedence of 
them, and must be acted upon first.” 


Nominations—How Made 

1. By naming a particular member for 
some specified office or position. 

2. By each member, if be desires, as 
every member lias a right to name one per¬ 
son for each office or jiosition, and no more 
till all have had a chance to nominate their 
choice. 

3. By the Chair when authorized by the 
assembly. 

4. By a committee ai)])ointed for the pur- 
jiose. 

T). By resolution. 

f). By ballot. 

Note.— Nominations require no seconding. The 


32 


OKGANIZAT 1 ON-HO\V ACCOMPLISIIED 


Constitution or By-la^A’S may determine the manner 
of making nominations. 


Nominations—How Voted on 

1. In voice vote, or otherwise than by 
ballot, the names are to be jiresented in the 
order of their nomination. 

2. In some cases all the members of a 
committee are elected on one vote, as when 
nominated by the Chair or by a nominating 
committee. 

o. In a vote by ballot a member may vote 
for a person not nominated. 


Organization—How Accomplished 

1. At the time and place appointed, 
some person responsilde for the call of the 
meeting shonld take the chair and request 
the assembly to be in order. After order is 
obtained he may briefly state the purpose of 
the meeting. 

2. The person taking the chair shonld 
next request the meeting to nominate some 
individual present to act as |)residing officer. 
If more than one ])erson is nominated, their 
names should be voted on in order of their 
nomination till some one is elected to the 
office. 


ORGANIZATION—HOW ACCOMPLISHED 


33 


3. The Chairman thus elected should 
take his place and after a few words of 
thanks or explanation commence his du¬ 
ties. 

4. The next thing in order is the elec¬ 
tion of a secretary or clerk of the assembly 
—then may he completed the organization of 
the body, which may be accomplished ac¬ 
cording to the rules which are generally ob¬ 
served and understood as relating to differ¬ 
ent kinds of assemblies and the different pur- 
];oses of organization. 

5. In forming a permanent society it is 
important that a Constitution and By-laws 
be drafted and adopted in the beginning. To 
this end it is well to procure and examine 
copies of those which have been adopted by 
similar societies. From this material a con¬ 
stitution and by-laws can he constructed 
suited to the needs and adapted to the or¬ 
ganization. The Constitution should con¬ 
tain nothing hut wdiat is fundamental, and it 
should he made difficult to change—requir¬ 
ing a certain time of previous notification, 
and at least a two-thirds vote to alter or 
amend it. 


34 


ORDER-CALL TO 


Order—Call to 

1. Can be made while another has the 
floor. 

2. Does not require to he seconded. 

3. Undehatahle. 

4. Cannot he amended. 

Note. —“If a member notices anything in the pro¬ 
cedure which he thinks is a violation of good par¬ 
liamentary usage, or of the law of the body, he 
may arise, and, addressing the Chair, say, ‘I rise 
to a point of order.’ The Chairman then inter¬ 
rupts the proceedings and says, ‘Please state your 
point of order.’ The member then states what he 
considers to be out of order, and the Chairman de¬ 
cide that the point is, or is not, well taken, and 
directs the business to proceed accordingly. . . . 

If any member is not satisfied with the correctness 
of the decision he may appeal from it to the de¬ 
cision of the meeting itself” (Neely, p. 104). 


Order—To Make Special 

1. Keqiiires a two-thirds vote. 

2. a subject is of such importance 
that it is desired to consider it at a special 
time, in preference to the orders of the day 
aud established order of business, then a 
motion should be made to make the ques'tion 
a ‘special order’ for a particular time. . . . 
If a subject is a special order for a particu¬ 
lar day, then on that day it supersedes all 


ORDERS OF THE DAY—CALL FOR 


35 


business except the reading of the minutes. 
A special order [after it is taken up] can be 
postponed by a majority vote. If two spe¬ 
cial orders are made for the same day, the 
one first made takes precedence” (liobert, 
pp. 187, 188). 

Order—To Take Up a Question Out of 

1. This is to take up any part of the 
adopted program out of its regular order. 

2. Cannot be debated. 

3. Cannot be amended. 

4. Eequires a two-thirds vote. 


Orders of the Day—Gall for 

1. Can be made while another has the 
door. 

2. Does not require to be seconded. 

3. Cannot be debated. 

4. Cannot be amended. 

5. A call for the orders of the day takes 
precedence of every other motion, excepting 
to reconsider, to fix the time to which to ad¬ 
journ, to adjourn, to take a recess, and ques¬ 
tions of i)rivilege, to which it yields. 

j^’oTE.—“When the orders of the day are reached, 
they can be called up on the suggestion of any 
member, or the presiding officer may lay them be- 


3G 


POSTPONE TO A CERTAIN TIME 


fore the assembly in their regular order, A mem¬ 
ber speaking may be interrupted for this purpose. 
Of course the action of the assembly in assigning 
the orders of the day is not irrevocable. It may 
be, also, that the assembly may prefer to go on with 
the business already before it. In that event the 
question of consideration should be raised against 
the order, and if decided against consideration then 
the business previously pending can be resumed” 
(Reed, p. Ibl). 


Postpone to a Certain Time 

1. Debatable only as to the propriety of 
the posti)oiieipent. 

2. Ts amendable by altering the time. 

2). The previous (piestion aiijdies to it 
without affecting other questions i)en(ling be¬ 
fore the assembly. 

4. This motion takes ])recedence of a mo¬ 
tion to commit, or amend, or indefinitely post¬ 
pone, and yields to all other subsidiary mo¬ 
tions, and to any ])rivileged, or incidental 
question. 

Note.— “The assembly may be willing to enter¬ 
tain and consider a proposition, but not at the time 
when it is made, . . . because they desire 

further time for reflection and examination; or 
because the assembly is then occupied with some 
other matter, which has more pressing claims upon 
its attention. The usual motions, under such cir¬ 
cumstances, are postponement to some future day 


POSTPONE INDEFINITELY 


37 


or time, and to lie on the table” (Cushing, pp. 39, 
40). “The motion to postpone to a certain day or 
time, is intended to postpone the entire suhiect to 
the time specified. If carried, the matter cannot 
be taken up before that time except by a two- 
thirds vote, but when the time is reached the sub¬ 
ject is entitled to be taken up in preference to 
anything except privileged questions.” 


Postpone Indefinitely 

1. Cannot lie made while any motion lint 
the original or main question is ])ending, lint 
after an amendment to the main question 
has been acted upon, then this motion is in 
order. 

2. Oj^eiis to debate the merits of the 
main question. 

Cannot be amended. 

4. The jirevions question applies to it 
without affecting the main question pending 
before the assembly. 

5. This motion takes precedence of noth¬ 
ing except the ]jrincipal question, and yields 
to any privileged, incidental, or other sub¬ 
sidiary motion. It can be applied to nothing 
but a jirincijial question and a (]nestion of 
])rivilege. 

XoTE.—“The motion to Postpone Indefinitely is 
not used for the purpose of placing the subject be¬ 
fore the House where it can be taken up at pleasure 


38 


QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE 


any moment, but it is intended to suppress a ques¬ 
tion altogether, without coming to a direct vote 
upon it, and in such a manner that it cannot he 
renewed. It is postponement or adjournment of 
the question, without fixing a day for its resump¬ 
tion ; and, as an indefinite adjournment is equiv¬ 
alent to a dissolution, so, if this motion is carried, 
its effect is to quash the proposition entirely hy 
removing it from consideration for that session” 
(Neely, p. SG). 


Questions of Privilege 

1. Those that affect the rights of the as- 
sembh’—such as tamperiug with its bills— 
(listiirbiug its order—retlectioiis on the in¬ 
tegrity of its proceedings—the comfort of its 
members in heating, lighting and ventilation 
of the room. 

2. Those that affect the riglits of the in¬ 
dividual members—such as an offer to bribe 
—threats toward a member—a (pnirrel be¬ 
tween members—charges against the official 
conduct of a mendier. 

3. A (luestion of privilege can be raised 
when another member has the floor, if it de¬ 
mands immediate attention. 

-i. Subsidiary motions apjdied to a (]nes- 
tion of jirivilege do not affect the (piestion 
interrnided. It yields to the motions to fix 
the time to which to adjourn, to adjourn, and 
to take a recess. 


QUESTION—PREVIOUS 


39 


Note. —“Questions of privilege are in the first 
instance addressed to the presiding officer, who first 
decides whether the cpiestions are (inestions of 
privilege. As soon as he is satisfied upon that 
point, he makes a ruling, which may be the sub¬ 
ject of appeal. If the ruling he that the question 
presented is not a question of privilege, then the 
business before the assembly proceeds. If the ques¬ 
tion is decided to be a question of privilege, then 
it is for the assembly to take action, as upon any 
other (piestion, by motion and subsidiary motions. 
After the assembly has disposed of the question of 
privilege, it resumes the business which was inter¬ 
rupted by the question” (Reed, pp. 131, 132). 

Question of Consideration 

1. This is an olijectioii to considering an 
original main question. 

2. Can be made only when the motion 
is first introduced and before debate. 

3. Can be made while another has the 
door. 

4. Does not require to be seconded. 

5. Cannot be debated. 

0. Cannot be amended. 

7. Cannot have any subsidiary motion 
ajiplied to it. 

8. Ileqnires a two-thirds vote. 

Question—Previous 

1. Tliis is a motion used to close debate 
immediately. 


40 


QUESTION-INFORMAL CONSIDERATION OF 


2. Cannot be debated. 

‘). Cannot be amended. 

4. Cannot have any subsidiary motion 
aiijdied to it. 

5. Iveqnires a two-thirds vote. 

0. Yields to privileged and incidental 
motions, and to lay on the table. 

7. This motion cannot dejirive the re- 
]>orter for a committee of his right to close 
debate on his rejiort. 

8. After the ])revions question has been 
ordered it is still in order to divide the main 
question, or refer or commit it, or to lay it 
upon the table. (See Neely, p. 145.) 

Note.—“I n small assemblies there is but little use 
for the previous question; and the prejudice is so 
strong against shutting off debate that it is often 
rather a dangerous motion to make, and should 
be made only after the assembly has plainly ex¬ 
hausted the subject” (Heed, p. 01). 

Question—Informal Consideration of 

1. Sometimes, by general consent of the 
assembly, a ipiestion is considered informal¬ 
ly by the body with no restraint on debate 
or remarks, when finally the motion is acted 
n]>on by a vote which closes the informal con¬ 
sideration. 

2. Again, by vote of the assembly, a (pies- 
tion may be considered informally while the 


QUORUM-WHAT CONSTITUTES 


41 


presiding officer remains in the chair. The pro¬ 
cedure in tliis case is somewhat like that of 
the Committee of the Whole with no restraint 
on debate or remarks. The only motions 
which may be made when acting on resolU' 
tions or motions in this way, are to amend 
and adopt. When the consideration has 
ended the Chairman reports the action to the 
assendily as if reported from a committee, 
and his report is recorded in the minutes of 
the body which report is then subject to 
consideration and action by the assembly. 


Quorum—What Constitutes 

1. Tlie term signifies the nnmber of mem¬ 
bers who should be present to legally trans¬ 
act business. 

2. There is no definite number fixed as 
being necessary in all bodies. 

8. In some assemblies the rule is that 
whoever comes without respect to number 
are authorized to act; in others a majority 
of all the members are coni})etent to trans¬ 
act business; still others require that all of 
the members must be jiresent—as a body ap- 
])ointed by law to perform a single act or 
series of acts. 

4. Where no special rule has been 
adopted, the custom is that a majority of the 


42 


RECONSIDER—MOTION TO 


members constitute a quorum. In small 
bodies, or church meetings or conferences, 
where tlie number is not fixed by rule, the 
usage is that all who come together on a 
proper call can legally transact business. 

5. In bodies where the number has been 
fixed, it is the present quorum, and not the 
voting quorum that constitutes the legal num¬ 
ber. (See Keed, p. 23.) 


Reading of Papers 

1. May be called for bj" a member before 
voting on them. 

2. If any one objects to the call for the 
reading, it should be submitted to a vote of 
the assembly without amendment or debate. 


Reconsider—Motion to 

1. Must be made by one who voted on 
the prevailing side. 

2. Each assembly should have a special 
rule determining the period of time within 
which this motion can be made, which should 
not be later than the day following the one 
on which the vote was taken that it is de¬ 
sired to reconsider. 

3. The motion to reconsider can be made 
while another has the floor and entered on 


RECONSIDERATION OF A DEBATABLE QUESTION 43 


the minutes, but cannot be considered while 
another question is before the House. When 
it is called up, after being entered on the min¬ 
utes, it takes precedence of all other motions 
excei)t to adjourn, or to fix the time to which 
to adjourn. 

4. This motion yields to incidental mo¬ 
tions, and all privileged questions, except for 
the orders of the day—it can be laid on the 
table. 

Note.— “To make it possible to introduce this mo¬ 
tion at any time, no matter how remote the period, 
would cause excessive uncertainty and would throw 
the work of the body into confusion. Something 
must be supposed to be settled, and hence there 
should be a limit on the time when a reconsidera¬ 
tion may be moved, and this should not be a long 
time after the final vote had been taken on the 
measure. The reconsideration, if taken at all, 
should be taken soon, for if reasons for the recon¬ 
sideration are not discovered soon they are not 
likely to exist. There should be reasonable time, 
but it should have a limit, and after this reason¬ 
able period, if the act is not satisfactory, it may be 
annulled by a motion to rescind or repeal” (Neely, 
p. 130). 


Reconsideration of a Debatable Question 

1. Opens the merits of the main question 
to debate. 

2. Cannot be amended. 


44 


RESCIND OR REPEAL 


3. Cannot be reconsidered. 

4. The previous question applies to this 
motion without affecting other questions 
pending before the assembly. 

Reconsideration of an Undebatable 
Question 

The same as a debatable question only it 
cannot be debated. 

Reconsidered—Questions Which Gan 
Not Be 

1. A reconsidered question. 

2. An adjournment. 

8. A suspension of the rules. 

4. A vote by ballot. (See Neely, p. G8.) 

5. An affirmative vote to lay on the table, 
or take from the table. 

6. An election to office or membership it 
not declined by the member. (See Robert's 
Rules Revised, 1915.) 

7. All votes under which the assembly 
has transacted business that cannot be re¬ 
versed. (See Reed, p. 149; Robert, ]>. 75.) 

Rescind or Repeal 

1. To rescind or repeal is to make void 
an action by vote when it is too late to re¬ 
consider. (See Robert, p. 71.) 


RENEWING A MOTION 


45 


2. This motion not a privileged one, but 
simply lias the standing of an ordinary new 
motion or resolution. 

3. It is debatable and opens to discus¬ 
sion all the matter which is proposed to re¬ 
scind or repeal. 

Renewing a Motion 

1. No principal motion or amendment 
having been acted upon and defeated, excejit 
a motion to adjourn, can be renewed at the 
same session unless it is reached by a recon¬ 
sideration. 

2. The motions to adjourn, to take a re¬ 
cess, or to lay tlie question on the table or 
take it from the table, may be renewed re¬ 
peatedly, provided business or progress in 
debate has intervened. 

3. As a general rule, the introduction of 
a motion whicli alters the state of affairs, 
makes it allowable to renew any privileged 
or incidental motion, excepting a motion for 
the orders of the day or for the suspension 
of the rules; or subsidiary motion, excepting 
an amendment, or indefinite postponement. 
The principle underlying this general rule is 
that the motion, under the circumstances 
named, has become practically a different 


one. 


46 


RECESS 


4. A motion that has been presented and 
withdrawn by one member may be renewed 
by anotlier or the original mover, as by its 
being withdrawn it was not acted upon. 

Ratify 

1. This is a main motion and is used in 
the assembly for the purpose of making valid 
some action performed by its officers or mem¬ 
bers which requires the approval of the as¬ 
sembly to make it valid. 

2. Only such acts as the assembly had a 
right to authorize its officers or members to 
perform can afterwards be approved or rati¬ 
fied by it. 

3. This motion grows out of emergencies 
which sometimes arise requiring immediate 
or prompt action when the assembly is 
not in session to authorize the same. If the 
act should prove unwise and unnecessary, the 
assembly instead of ratifying might condemn 
it, and hold the members acting responsible 
for what they had done. 

Recess 

1. The assembly, by a majority vote, may 
take a recess for a limited time during a ses¬ 
sion or meeting. 

2. Where there is a fixed rule for a re¬ 
cess in the midst of the meeting, when the 


RULES—TO SUSPEND 


47 


time is reached, the Chair aiiiioiiiices the fact 
and the recess is taken, unless it is suspended 
i>j a two-thirds vote. When the time of the 
recess has expired the Chair calls the assem- 
blv to order and the business is resumed. 

Rise—To 

1. In committee equals adjourn. 

2. Cannot be debated. 

3. Cannot be amended. 

4. Cannot be reconsidered. 

Rules—To Suspend 

1. Cannot be debated. 

2. Cannot be amended. 

3. Cannot have any subsidiary motion 
applied to it. 

4. Cannot be reconsidered. 

5. Cannot, for the same purpose, be re¬ 
newed at the same meeting. 

6. Requires a two-thirds vote. 

7. This motion does not usually apply 
to the by-laws, but only to the rules of order, 
and the standing rules. 

Note.— “When any contemplated motion or pro¬ 
ceeding is rendered impracticable, by the reason of 
the existence of some special rule by which it is 
prohibited, it has become an established practise 
in this country, to suspend or dispense with the 


48 


TABLE—TO LAY ON 


rule, for the purpose of admitting the proceeding 
or motion which is desired. This can only be done 
by a motion and (piestion ; and, where this course is 
taken in order to a motion having reference to a 
proposition then under consideration, a motion to 
suspend the rule supersedes the original question 
for the time being, and is first decided” (Cu.shing, 
1 ). 04 ). 

If this motion prevails tlien the particular 
thing’ for which the rule was snsiiemled can 
be taken nj) and acted upon. 


Substitute 

(See Ainendnient.) 

Speaking—Leave to Continue after 
Indecorum 

1. Undebatahle. 

2. Cannot be amended. 

Table—To Lay on 

1. Cannot be debated. 

2. Cannot be amended. 

d. Cannot have any subsidiary motion 
applied to it. 

4. An affirmative vote on it cannot be 
reconsidered. 

5. The motion to lay on the table takes 
l)recedence of all other subsidiary questions. 


TABLE—TO TAKE FROM 


49 


It takes tlie subject from consideration till 
the assembly votes to take it fi*om tbe table, 
wliicli it may never do. 

Note.— “This motion is i»racticully a motion to 
suspend consideration of a (piestion during the 
pleasure of the House. It carries with it all ques¬ 
tions connected with the special question on which 
it is moved. [The exceptions to this are appeals, 
reconsideration, amendments to the minutes, which 
do not carry with them the original questions to the 
table.] If it he moved on the main question, then 
all the amendments go with it; if moved on the 
amendment, then the main question goes on the 
table also. . . . When a question laid upon the 

table is again called up, it comes up before the as¬ 
sembly precisely as it was prior to the motion to 
lay it on the table, with all the amendments and 
motions then pending; hut the motion to take from 
the table is not a privileged motion” (Reed, pp. 
S2, 83). 


Table—To Take from 

1. Cannot be debated. 

2. Cannot be amended. 

3. Cannot have any subsidiary motion 
applied to it. 

4. An allirmative vote on it cannot be re¬ 
considered. 

5. It is not in order unless some business 
has intervened since the motion was laid on 
the table. If lost, it can be renewed after 


50 


UNAMENDABLE QUESTIONS 


business or progress in debate has inter¬ 
vened. 

b. It yields to })rivileged and incidental 
motions, but not to subsidiary ones. 

7. ^^dlen the (luestion is taken from* the 
table, everything adhering to it when laid on 
the table conies again before the assembly 
the same as it was prior to this motion. 

Two-thirds Vote—The Following Requires 

1. The previous question. 

2. To make a special order. 

3. To take nj) a question out of its 
proper order. 

4. To amend the rules. 

5. To prevent the consideration of a 
question. 

6. To suspend the rules. 

7. To limit or extend the limits of de¬ 
bate. (See Robert, p. Ki.) 

8. To close debate at a certain time. 

Unamendable Questions 

1. To adjourn (unqualified).* 

2. An amendment to an amendment. 

3. Ai)])eals. 

4. Objection to the consideration of a 
question.* 


*Also cannot be debated. 



UNDEBATABLE QUESTIONS 


51 


5. Call to order.* 

G. Orders of the day—Call for.* 

7. To take up a question out of its 
proper order.* 

8. To postpone indefinitely. 

9. The previous question.* 

10. Reading of papers.* 

11. To reconsider. 

12. To suspend the rules.* 

13. Leave to continue to si)eak after in¬ 
decorum.* 

14. To lay on the table, and take from the 
table.* 

15. Withdrawal of a motion.* 

Undebatable Questions 

1. To fix the time to which to adjourn 
(when a privileged question). 

2. To adjourn (unqualified) .f 

3. The orders of the day—Call for.t 

4. Objection to the consideration of a 
question.! 

5. To lay on the table, and take from the 
table.! 

G. To susi^end the rules.! 

7. The previous question.! 

8. Withdrawal of a motion.! 


♦Also cannot be debated. 
jAlso cannot be amended. 



52 


VOTING-METHODS OF 


9. To reconsider (if the question to be 
reconsidered is not debatable).* 

10. Appeals (when relating to inde¬ 
corum, etc.).* 

11. To limit debate. 

12. To extend the time of debate. 

13. Call to order.* 

14. To take up a question out of its 
proper order.* 

15. Priority of business. 

16. Eeading of papers.* 

17. Leave to continue to speak after in¬ 
decorum.* 

18. Division of a question. 


Voting—Methods of 

1. By voice vote, the most common, as 
yes or aye, and no. The result of this vote 
is determined by the volume of sound as it 
may affect the ear. 

2. By show of hands. In this vote the 
eye determines the result by the apparent 
number of hands. 

3. By standing and being counted. The 
affirmative side first stands and is counted; 
then the negative does the same. This method 


♦Also cannot be amended. 



VOTING—METHODS OF 


53 


is called “a division of the House” when 
used to verify a vote already taken. 

4. By count of tellers. Tlie affirmative 
side first passes between tellers and is 
counted; then the negative is counted in 
the same manner. 

5. By yeas and nays. The roll is called 
and each member on the call of his name an¬ 
swers yes or no, which answer is recorded 
opposite his name. Where no special rule 
exists, a majority of the assembly may order 
this kind of a vote. 

G. By ballot. This is a secret vote com¬ 
monly written on slips of paper and these 
slips collected by tellers. This method is 
adopted only Avhen ordered by the assembly 
or required by the Constitution. A ballot 
ordered by the assembly to be cast by the 
secretary for some member “is not a legal 
ballot.” (See Neely, p. 60.) 

7. By a so-called “unanimous vote” im¬ 
mediately following the election of a member 
to some office or other position. Tliis kind of 
a vote is not valid and perhaps not compli¬ 
mentary, as the vote by which the person 
was actually elected is the only legal one; 
and the second one is of (juestionable pro¬ 
priety as it is generally coercive. 

8. By general consent. In matters of 
routine business the Chair, to save time, 


54 


VOTE—WHO MAY 


may say that if no one objects it is so ordered 
or referred. If there is no objection made, 
it is entered on the minutes as the action 
of the assembly. 

Note.— “The assembly is assumed not to know 
the result of a vote until announced by the Chair, 
and the vote does not go into effect until an¬ 
nounced” (Robert’s Rules of Order Revised, 1915). 

Vote—Who May 

1. Each member may vote if present at 
the time of voting or before the polls are 
closed. In some bodies under certain circum¬ 
stances, voting by mail or proxy wdien absent, 
is permitted by the Constitution or By-laws. 

2. The presiding officer, if a member of 
the body, can vote, but ordinarily he does 
not except in order to change results. In 
small bodies, such as a board of trustees, he 
should vote if a member of the board. If the 
vote is by ballot he should vote before the 
ballots are counted. If the vote is by yeas 
and nays, his name should be called last 
so his vote will not influence the votes of 
other members. 

3. The presiding officer, when not a mem¬ 
ber of the assembly, is usually allowed to 
vote to break a tie. Such a provision is 
sometimes made in the Constitution. It is 
so made in the Senate of tlie United States. 


WITHDRAWAL OF A MOTION 


55 


Voting—Order of 

1. If a resolution or series of resolutions 
are considered seriatim, then the preamble 
should be voted on last. 

2. If a committee reports back to the 
assembly a paper referred to it and wdiich 
it has amended, the amendments of the com¬ 
mittee are to be voted on first, which amend¬ 
ments may be amended by the assembly. 


Withdrawal of a Motion 

1. The general rule is, if no one objects, 
that a motion may be withdrawn by the 
mover before decision or it is actually 
amended. 

2. If objection is raised to the with¬ 
drawal of the motion, it requires a vote of 
the assembly to permit the same, wdiich must 
be done without amendment or debate. 


56 


MISCELLANEOUS 


MISCELLANEOUS 

I 

The term Assembly or House, as used in 
this Manual, indicates an Association, Con¬ 
vention, Society, Council, or Church Confer¬ 
ence. 


II 

Each member of the assembly should be 
promptly in his place at the time of con¬ 
vening, and observe strict decorum during 
the meeting. 


Ill 

All points of order are decided by the 
Chairman subject to an appeal to the as¬ 
sembly. 


IV 

The Chairman in speaking of himself in 
the assembly, should say that “the Chair” de¬ 
cides so and so, and not that “I decide.” 

V 

If the speaker is in order he should not 
be interrupted by the Chair or any member. 
When the mover of a motion states it im¬ 
properly, it is the duty of the Chair to kind- 


MISCELLANEOUS 


57 


ly and politely suggest to him the proper 
form. 


VI 

Each assembly should adopt an order of 
business suitable to its sessions. No one 
form can be given that will be exactly 
adajited to the needs of all associations. 

VII 

The secretary, unless otherwise instructed 
by the assembly, should record in the min¬ 
utes all principal motions—those that are 
lost as well as those which are carried—and 
the names of the persons making them. 

VIII 

A session of the assembly may continue 
many days. ‘‘An adjournment to meet again 
at some other time, even the same day, 
terminates the Meeting, but not the iSes- 
sion.” 


IX 

By “general consent” is meant the same 
as “unanimous consent.” This is supposed 
to exist without a vote, as where routine 
business is entered on the minutes as trans¬ 
acted by the assembly, after the Chair has 


58 


MISCELLANEOUS 


inquired if there is aiij objection to the 
action and no one objects. 


X 

The meniber making a motion should not 
say, “I move you/’ or ‘T move you now/’ but 
‘T move that-In offering a substi¬ 

tute he should not say, ‘T move for every¬ 
thing before the House that - 

XI 

Accepting a report is the same as adopting 
it. A report may be received without a mo¬ 
tion, if no one objects, and then it is subject 
to consideration and action by the assembly. 

XII 

The Orders of the Day are General and 
Special. General Orders are the regular pro¬ 
gram of the assembly. Special Orders relate 
to business assigned by the assembly to be 
taken up and acted upon at a specified time 
during the session, and to which all other 
business yields, except the reading of the 
minutes, when the time arrives for it to be 
taken up. 

XIII 

Questions of Drivilege must not be con¬ 
founded with Privileged Questions. The lat- 




MISCELLANEOUS 


59 


ter include the former^ and several other 
questions. Bee the difference in this Manual 
under Classified Motions. 

XIV 

The Previous Question, in a parliamentary 
sense, is a contradictory term, as it has no 
reference or relation whatever to any pre¬ 
viously considered business. It relates sole¬ 
ly to closing debate. 


XV 

A member yielding the fioor, caused by any 
interruption, is entitled to it first when the 
question is again resumed. 

XVI 

When a motion of a higher rank is intro¬ 
duced it is said to take precedence of the 
one of a lower rank under consideration. 

XVII 

A motion is said to yield to another when 
one of a higher rank is introduced which 
supersedes it. 


XVIII 


‘^4 Plurality of Votes is the excess number 
of votes received by the successful candidate 


60 


MISCELLANEOUS 


over those cast for the competing candidate 
having the next highest number of votes.” 

XIX 

In tilling blanks the rule is to vote iirst on 
the highest number named; if this is rejected, 
then on the next highest number, and so on 
until the blanks are filled. 


XX 

“Parliamentary Inquiries” are made of the 
Chair by a member who desires to know what 
will be the “effect of a certain action if taken 
by the assembly, and how to proceed to ac¬ 
complish a certain result.” These inquiries 
being informal, the answers of the Chair are 
the same, and are not subject to an appeal 
to the House. 


XXI 

Permanent Societies generally have a Con¬ 
stitution, By-laws, Eules of Order, and Stand¬ 
ing Ellies. Some of such Societies embrace 
all of their rules under one or more of these 
heads. 


XXII 

Definition of terms: Ex-officio—by virtue 
of office. Seriatim—in series, serially. Pro 


MISCELLANEOUS 


61 


tempore—for the time being. Sine die—with¬ 
out a day appointed. Extempore—without 
premeditation. Multum in i)arvo—much in 
little. 


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